Is an Online Installment Loan Legit? A 6-Point Checklist
Wondering if installment loans are legit? Use this 6 step checklist to verify a lender's license, disclosures, and tribal claims before you apply.
By Aaron Kim
HomeBorrow Smarter
Borrow Smarter - 2
Reporting, analysis, and plain-language explainers on payday loans, state rules, credit scores, and the lower-cost alternatives most borrowers never hear about.
More Payday and Credit Reporting
North Carolina Payday Loan Laws: How the 2001 Ban Works
North Carolina banned payday lending in 2001. See the statute, the 16% rate cap, how tribal lenders still target residents, and where to report one.
By Carmen Ortiz
Installment Loans Without a Credit Check: What Lenders Really Check
"No credit check" installment loans still check specialty bureaus and your bank account. See verified APR ranges, real cost math, and state caps.
By Derrick Washington
Bank of America Payday Loan? What Balance Assist Costs Now
Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and U.S. Bank now offer small-dollar loans. See real fees, APRs, and eligibility versus a payday loan.
By Lena Whitfield
Federal Allotment Loans: Rules, Costs, and Red Flags
Federal allotment loans deduct straight from your paycheck. Learn the OPM and DFAS rules, the 36% MLA cap, real costs, and red flags before signing.
By Carmen Ortiz
Is a Payday Loan Installment or Revolving Credit?
See how Regulation Z classifies a payday loan as closed-end credit, and what that means for your credit score.
By Aaron Kim